RESCHEDULED to 8:00 AM, Saturday, February 10, 2024 – Denny Creek Trailhead
Buena Vista, Colorado
Hosted by Jeff Kerkove
REGISTER HERE – it’s FREE and REQUIRED!
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No more than 74 people allowed for this event!
This is a NON-COMMERCIAL, Recreational-Use Activity that is held on parts of USFS lands in compliance with USFS Special Use Rules and Regulations.
PLEASE BE SURE TO READ EVERYTHING ON THIS PAGE!
THIS IS A VERY DIFFICULT RIDE AND YOU CAN PUT YOURSELF IN DANGER IF YOU ARE NOT PREPARED! IT IS ADVISED TO HAVE WINTER FAT BIKE EXPERIENCE. YOU WILL BE BETWEEN 10,000 FT AND 12,100 FT FOR THE DURATION OF THE RIDE.
This ride is fully UNSUPPORTED and you will need to be self-sufficient and winter backcountry ready in order to complete the established route. The rules are located HERE.
When: RESCHEDULED to 8:00 AM, Saturday, February 10, 2024 – Denny Creek Trailhead
What: The Cottonwood Crusher is a FREE self-supported winter fat bike adventure ride in the Collegiate Peaks. You’ll climb up and over 12,100 ft twice! Complete the full 45-mile lollipop or just ride part of it. It’s totally up to you. Either way, it’s a beautiful, challenging and rewarding day on the bike with BIG views!
Start: RESCHEDULED to 8:00 AM, Saturday, February 10, 2024 – Denny Creek Trailhead
Finish: 5-10+ hours later, Denny Creek Trailhead
Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/34998161
RIDE DETAILS AND NOTES
The route is not marked, so you need to self-navigate. Download the GPX file for your device at https://ridewithgps.com/routes/34998161
8 AM start time at the Denny Creek Trailhead, which is located 11-miles west of Buena Vista up paved and plowed County Rd 306. There is ample parking both in the lot and along south side of the road. This is also the main trailhead for the Mt Yale 14er. https://goo.gl/maps/PSgGf2qwJfsK9jhL7 Please carpool if you can. DO NOT PARK IN THE TURN AROUND OR IN FRONT OF ANY “NO PARKING” SIGN. YOU WILL BE TOWED!
Rules: https://swes.wordpress.com/rules-regulations-and-responsibility/ The ride host, other user groups and other riders doing this ride are NOT responsible for you. Please always use your best judgement and exercise caution and safety as your #1 priority. You are 100% responsible for you!
The entire route utilizes marked snowmobile trails and groomed winter routes. While this ride is free, the grooming is not. Consider a small $ donation to the grooming efforts: https://www.snowmobilecolo.com/content.aspx?page_id=301&club_id=45117
What about the weather and/or conditions? This ride will happen regardless of temperature or reasonable snowfall. If this ride is cancelled or rescheduled it will be only be because of unsafe conditions (warnings, watches, or advisories) or conditions that would make riding impossible (deep snow, ungroomed trails, etc). Any cancellation or reschedule of the ride will be emailed out to registered riders the Thursday before the ride.
How long will this ride take? Even though it’s just 45-miles, this ride is still a 5-6 hour day with good conditions for the fastest of riders. Conditions are rarely good. Plan accordingly. To give you an idea of speeds, it will take most folks 1.5 to 3 hours to go the first 7.5 miles up to Cottonwood Pass. 2021 finishing times for the full 45-mile route ranged from 6.5 hours to 10 hours. 2022 finishing times ranged from 5-10 hours.
Expect temps from -15ºF to 32ºF. It’s typically 15ºF to 20ºF colder in the Taylor Park / Gunnison Valley area than at the Denny Creek TH. In 2022, temps were near 30ºF at the start. 20 miles later down in Taylor Park temps were hovering around -10ºF. Be prepared for a drastic change in temperatures on route.
HIGHLY SUGGESTED GEAR LIST:
- Fat bike with 3.8″ or larger tires (REQUIRED)
- Helmet (REQUIRED)
- GPS for navigation that will work in sub-zero temps
- 3 Liters of hydration that will not freeze
- High calorie food that will not freeze
- Footwear that is warm in sub-zero temps.
- Pogies or gloves that are warm in sub-zero temps
- Headlamp
- Puffy jacket
- Waterproof shell
- Mid-weight gloves
- Heavy weight gloves
- Something to cover your face/nose
- A way to make a fire
- Space blanket
- Spare tube(s)
- Mini-pump that will work in sub-zero temps
- Multi-tool
There is no cell service on route.
MINIMUM tire size is 3.8″. Anything smaller than 3.8″ will destroy the grooming efforts, jeopardize fat bike access in the area, and result in you not making it out of the parking lot.
You are going to want to bring a camera! Pictures of the route can be seen HERE
There are no resupply points on or off route! Plan on carrying all food and hydration. A stove to melt snow for additional water is not a bad idea. Remember, your calorie and hydration needs are greater when exercising in colder temps and at high elevation.
The Taylor Park Store will NOT be open. This store is seasonal.
A head light and rear red blinky are highly advised to make yourself visible to other user groups and the for the potential to be finishing in the dark.
See the grooming report at https://www.snowmobilecolo.com/content.aspx?page_id=1980&club_id=45117&module_id=1980&area_id=37#search_results Grooming typically happens on Monday nights and after big storms.
A good weather forecast to follow can be found at https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?zoneid=COZ060 Please note, this is to set a weather baseline. Always plan on it being colder, especially in the lower elevations in Taylor Park.
Still interested? These are some questions to ask yourself prior to committing to this ride…
- Can I keep my hands, face, core and feet warm in temps possibly below 0ºF for 6+ hours?
- Can I keep my hydration from freezing?
- What food(s) should I bring that won’t freeze?
- How will my body respond to riding up and over 12,100 ft TWICE?
- Do I know how to regulate tire air pressure in the field? Will my pump work in sub-zero temps?
- Am I physically and mentally ready to be on the bike in the backcountry in the coldest part of winter for 6+ hours?
- Am I able to regulate my body temperature and not sweat through all my clothing/layers?
- Am I ready and able to fix any equipment issues that may occur?
- Will my GPS work in sub-zero temps? In 2022, many Garmin GPS devices could not handle sub-zero temps in Taylor Park.
Colorado Endurance Series 